ALBANY, NY (09/27/2007) - Dozens of educators, community leaders, labor activists and government officials will gather in NYSUT's Latham headquarters Saturday, September 29, from 10:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., to strategize on ways to end the achievement gap for Latino students.

NYSUT is co-sponsoring the conference with the Labor Council of Latin American Advancement (LCLAA), as the organizations focus on the unique needs and challenges faced by Latino students.

"While our schools are making steady progress, too many Latino students are falling behind," said NYSUT Vice President Maria Neira. "We will focus on how to ensure all students succeed and actively engage our community."

The conference begins at 10:00 a.m. with remarks by Neira and LCLAA President Guillermo Perez.

"We are very excited to work with NYSUT on a common agenda," said Perez. "Our goal for the forum is to provide concrete proposals to help change the environment for our young people."

The keynote speaker, Hector Ruiz from the United Federation of Teachers, NYSUT's New York City affiliate, is a veteran School-Related Professional in Bronx schools.

Topics of the morning workshops - which begin at 10:30 a.m. - include community involvement in schools and the disproportionate representation of students of color in special education.

Afternoon workshops, starting at 1:15 p.m., will focus on dual language learners and access to higher education for Latino students.

Neira and other conference participants will be available to the media during the noon-1:15 lunch session.

NYSUT headquarters is located at 800 Troy-Schenectady Road in Latham.

NYSUT represents 585,000 teachers, school-related professionals, academic and professional faculty in higher education, professionals in education and health care and retirees. NYSUT is affiliated with the American Federation of Teachers; National Education Association and the AFL-CIO.